The flourish of artificial intelligence (AI) in recent years has tremendously transformed the educational sector, especially English interpretation instruction. Thanks to the features of natural language processing, AI fosters learners not only in grasping the content but in drilling interpretation skills. However, it is advisable that lecturers guide students in cultivating linguistic knowledge and mindset to avoid reliance on AI and have an effective use.
First of all, AI tools assist learners in enhancing interpretation skills through voice recognition and automatic translation tools. Applications such as Google Translate, DeepL or ChatGPT, Gemini can provide quick translations, helping learners understand the literal meaning of the text or dialogue. In addition, voice-to-text tools such as Turboscribe help students complete homework on interpreting videos quickly instead of pausing the videos and conduct interpreting afterwards.
Thanks to AI assistance, lecturers prepare lesson plans more efficiently. In fact, unlike other modules, prior to class, lecturers of interpretation are required to interpret the videos to assign interpretation practices as well as assess student’s performance. In addition, lecturers can use AI tools to create animated videos with appropriate content to stimulate students’ enthusiasm.
However, AI are somehow faulty, therefore lecturers and students need to cross-check with dictionaries as well as related articles to ensure accuracy. Translation and interpretation require the ability to think contextually, have insights into culture, emotions and flexibility, which AI are lacked in. Therefore, AI should be seen as a supportive too in optimizing the learning process rather than taking the role of lecturers. Students need to have extensive and specialized knowledge, diverse lexical resources as well as the ability to use language flexibly to eliminate students’ AI reliance.
Pham Thi Ngoan